We all know the mark of a truly brilliant restaurant is the glint of a Michelin star, but just three years after its launch, the Pinnacle Guide is fast becoming the equivalent barometer for the bar industry.
Bars have to self-nominate to be considered, and any accolades awarded are based on an assessment of their application plus multiple visits from local, anonymous reviewers. One pin equates to ‘excellent’, two means ‘outstanding’, and three marks an ‘exceptional’ experience.
Back in 2024, Lyaness in London became the world’s first-ever three-pinner, but for 2026, 46 bars from all over the globe have been newly-pinned across the one, two, and three-pin categories – so let’s dive in.
One of the three newly-pinned three-pin bars is Line Athens, a contemporary, stylish spot in the Greek capital’s Kato Petralona neighbourhood. You can find it inside an airy, loft-style former gallery space.
They’re known for homemade fruit wines (known as Why-ins) – of which you can choose a Classic or Fancy – as well as some intriguing cocktails. Think a Delusional Margarita or a Message From Scotland.
New to the two-pin category is Furtivo Speakeasy, a 1920s-inspired bar in San Juan, Puerto Rico, and in the one-pin category, The Domino Club, a jazz bar hidden behind the facade of a barber shop in the UK city of Leeds. However, there’s plenty more where these came from – scroll on for the complete round-up.
Recommended: The one bar to visit in the world’s best cities, according to editors.
The three newly-pinned 3 pin bars
- Champagne Bar at The Surf Club, Miami, USA
- Kumiko, Chicago, USA
- Line Athens, Athens, Greece
The 21 newly-pinned 2 pin bars
- Himitsu, Dubai, UAE
- Pilina, Maui, USA
- Strong Water Anaheim, Anaheim (Orange County), USA
- tbc*, Chester, UK
- The Emory Rooftop Bar, London, UK
- The Upper Room at Duddell’s, Hong Kong
- Alto, Cervia, Italy
- American Bar at the Savoy, London, UK
- Andra Hem, Philadelphia, USA
- Bandista, Houston, USA
- Barro Negro Athens, Athens, Greece
- Call Me Pearl, Denver, USA
- Clockwork, Toronto, Canada
- Course, Phoenix, USA
- Danico, Paris, France
- Death & Co. DC, Washington DC, USA
- Fives Raw Bar, New Orleans, USA
- Furtivo Speakeasy, San Juan, Puerto Rico
- Gus’ Sip & Dip, Chicago, USA
- Hello Hello Bar and Cafe, New York City, USA
- KABIN, New York City, USA
The 15 newly-pinned 1 pin bars
- La Catedral Bar, Zürich, Switzerland
- Lowkey, Cardiff, UK
- Marcelino’s Boutique Bar, Providence, USA
- Quinary, Hong Kong
- REIGN bar, Toronto, Canada
- Rundle Bar, Banff, Canada
- Shelter, Calgary, Canada
- SHUB, Sorrento, Italy
- SIMPL THINGS, Toronto, Canada
- Slowpour, Liverpool, UK
- Squisi, Vittorio Veneto, Italy
- St James Bar, London, UK
- Stravinskij Bar at Hotel de Russie, Rome, Italy
- The Domino Club, Leeds, UK
- The Flamingo Room, Vancouver, Canada
Still thirsty? Have a browse of the complete Pinnacle Guide on the official website.
Did you see that the best new restaurants in the world have been named – from open kitchens in Rio to bao bun spots in Paris?
ICYMI: These two culture-packed European capitals are now finally connected by direct train.
Stay in the loop: sign up to our free Travel newsletter for all the latest travel news and best stuff happening across the world.
